Leslie Threadgill-Smith: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: HuntleyWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Huntley Area Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 41Family: Married 13 years, 2 childrenOccupation: HomemakerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Education Western Illinois University 1993. Continuing Education coursework Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Current Huntley Library Board Trustee, Chesak/Martin PTA volunteer coordinator and member, Huntley Area Library Friends Foundation Liasion and member, Lutheran Church of Atonement Care Team Leader, CUSD #158 volunteerElected offices held: Huntley Area Library Board Trustee 2005-2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number one campaign issues is maximizing services within the physical constraints of the existing library building. Although our space is limited, we need to ensure that each square foot available is utilized to its maximum potential.Key Issue 2 My second campaign issues is to bring more awareness and expand the services available to the Huntley Area Library residents without the need to physically visit the library.Key Issue 3 My third campaign issues is to maintain the fiscal responsibility the Library Board has displayed through my time in office.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I am running for re-election to continue to contribute making our library the wonderful resource it is.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are a non-incumbent, tell us what special contributions you could make.During my terms in office, I have helped improve policy, implement "out of the box" changes throughout the library, led initiative to make our library more handicapped accessible and environmentally friendly. I have been a good steward of the taxpayer funds provided to the Library District. In addition to being fiscally conservative I have pushed for multiple grant application submissions that resulted in fiscal benefit to the library in excess of 30K.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes I have a library card. I have had my library card since I moved to Huntley in 1999. I use my library card weekly.Space is usually an issue at libraries. If that's the case at your library, would your solution be to expand the physical plant or make room by doing away with parts of the collection that technology has made less critical? Explain.Although I agree that the Huntley Area Public Library needs more physical space, my solution to space limitations would not be to reduce any specific collections. I support utilization of outside space to host library programming. We also have many services that are available via technology through our website . This enables patrons to access countless resources without having to step foot in the actual building.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Technology has expanded a library's ability to provide service to its patrons. Technology has not reduced the relevance of a library to it's community. It has actually expanded the services it can provide around the clock not just within the library hours or building. The library offers a myriad of resources and programming at no additional cost to it's residents. That should not change. The library needs to continue to support and encourage literacy through the use of all mediums possible.